Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
NATIONAL WATERWAYS
TO promote Inland Water Transport  in the country, 111 waterways  have been declared as National Waterways  under the National Waterways Act, 2016 which came into effect from 12th April, 2016. Based on the outcome of techno-economic feasibility and Detailed Project Reports  of NWs, 25 NWs which have been found viable by Inland Waterways Authority of India  for cargo/ passenger movement is at Annex-1. Development activities have been initiated in the first 13 NWs out of the 25 viable NWs.
Rs. 96.00 crore has been sanctioned for development of the stretch between Vijayawada to Muktayala in Krishna River of NW-4 in Andhra Pradesh for following works:-
 Establishment of four Floating Pontoons,
 Dredging as per requirement,
 Land acquisition for construction of 3 Nos. of ﬁxed Ro-Ro terminals at Muktayala, Harichandrapuram and lbrahimpatnam.
During the last two years i.e. 2019-20 and 2020-21, Rs. 18.87 crore and Rs. 7.66 crore respectively has been allocated to Andhra Pradesh.
Bulk cargo like coal, ﬂy-ash and iron ore are found economical & cost-eﬀective for movement through Inland Water Transport  which is environment friendly and less pollutant mode of transport than Rail & Road. The cargo through Inland waterways is transported in barges and there is no direct contact of the cargo with water and therefore no adverse ecological impact.
Operation of Ferries is a State subject. Inland Waterways Authority of India  established through IWAI Act, 1985 for the regulation and development of National Waterways for purposes of shipping and navigation has notiﬁed  following regulations for safety considerations-
- Prevention of Collision on National Waterways Regulations, 2002 and
- National waterway, Safety of Navigation and Shipping Regulations, 2002
Further Government has enacted the Inland Vessels  Act, 2021 replacing I.V. Act 1917 for uniformity of rules and regulation for inland navigation in the country covering safety considerations.
Annex.-1
LIST OF 25 NATIONAL WATERWAYS FOUND FEASIBLE FOR CARGO/ PASSENGER MOVEMENT
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Sl. No.
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National Waterway
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Details of Waterways
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STATES
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Status
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1
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National Waterway 1
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Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System 
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Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal
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Development taken up with Assistance from World Bank Jal Marg Vikas Project
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2
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National Waterway 2
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Brahmaputra River 
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Assam
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Development taken up as per approved SFC for FY 20-21 to 2024-25
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3
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National Waterway 16
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Barak River
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Assam
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4
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National Waterway 3
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West Coast Canal , Champakara and Udyogmandal Canals
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Kerala
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Mostly Operational Waterways and development and maintenance work taken up.
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5
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National Waterway 4
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Krishna River 
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Andhra Pradesh
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6
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National Waterway 5
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Dhamra-Paradio via Mangalagadi to Pankopal
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Odisha
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7
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National Waterway 8
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Alappuzha- Changanassery Canal
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Kerala
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8
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National Waterway 9
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Alappuzha-Kottayam – Athirampuzha Canal
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Kerala
Alternate route: 11.5km
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9
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National Waterway 27
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Cumberjua River
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Goa
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10
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National Waterway 68
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Mandovi River
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Goa
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11
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National Waterway 86
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Rupnarayan River
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West Bengal
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12
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National Waterway 97
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Sunderbans Waterway
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West Bengal
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13
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National Waterway 111
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Zuari River
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Goa
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14
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National Waterway 10
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Amba River
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Maharashtra
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Projects at appraisal stage.
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15
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National Waterway 40
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Ghagra River
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Bihar
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16
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National Waterway 44
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Ichamati River
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West Bengal
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17
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National Waterway 52
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Kali River
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Karnataka
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18
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National Waterway 57
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Kopili River
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Assam
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19
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National Waterway 25
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Chapora River
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Goa
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20
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National Waterway 37
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Gandak River
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Bihar
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21
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National Waterway 28
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Dabhol Creek Vasisti River
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Maharashtra
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Substantial cargo moves in tidal waters/river mouth under respective State maritime board. No interventions are contemplated by IWAI as of now.
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22
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National Waterway 73
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Narmada River
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Maharashtra & Gujarat
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23
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National Waterway 85
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Revadanda Creek - Kundalika River System
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Maharashtra
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24
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National Waterway 94
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Sone River
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Bihar
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25
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National Waterway 100
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Tapi River
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Maharashtra & Gujarat
This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
MJPS
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